My Turn: Is being “a little rapey” something new?

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Nov 26, 2017 at 2:59 PMNov 26, 2017 at 2:59 PM

By James E. Bodenheimer

The current spate of sexual misconduct seemingly sweeping throughout Hollywood and the halls of Congress is nothing new to those of us who have lived for four decades or more. These actions were seen as “perks” to the upper-echelon of our society and were as common as the “five martini-lunch.”

I grew-up hearing about John F. Kennedy’s sexual forays in office. Many people, including my parents, thought that Ted Kennedy got away with murder over sexual exploits that the family wanted covered-up. I watched with interest as Joe Kennedy tried to have a 12-year marriage annulled by the Catholic Church. That was just one family.

It wasn’t that long ago that people couldn’t seem to get enough of hearing about Hugh Hefner and his three wives, five “partners” and “Heaven-only- knows” how many girlfriends. How did he differ from the Kardashian’s making their fortunes off “sharing” their bodies and sexual deeds and needs with all of us?

Has anyone bothered to read the lyrics for songs from Beyonce’, Brittany Spears, Demi Lovato, Madonna, Miley Cyrus or Katy Perry? These are just a few of the female “artists” who sing and show their sexual innuendo with all of us and our children.

If you are not familiar with the name, Roman Polanski, look him up. While you’re at it, look up the myriad people who supported him and insisted that all charges be dropped against him and that he be released from Swiss custody. Over 100 Hollywood executives and movie stars signed a petition for their pal and hero who had had sexual relations with a 13 year-old girl in 1977.

The FCC used to have rules that covered the language and content of what was allowed to be shown on our televisions. In November 1987 the FCC ruled that radio and television could air “indecent” programming between the hours of midnight to six-a.m. This ruling opened the door for the language and nudity that we can see at any given hour today. The broadcast stations, for the most part, have simply picked-up where the satellite and cable companies had pioneered. We were told to just not watch it if we didn’t like it. This is easier said than done with children in a home.

There is a reason why we have all heard the phrase “sex sells.” It is hard to pin the sexual social mores on any one group. It is not that hard to see how certain groups and classes of people protect and perpetuate the culture we are continually bombarded with.

Bra ads first appeared in magazines in the 50s and were either illustrated or very heavily edited.

DuPont ran some of the first panty ads in the US during the 60s using “flower children” and were also highly (by todays standards) covered-up models. These first ads were considered by many at the time to be “scandalous”. The folks who thought them scandalous were labeled as “fuddy-duddies” or “sexually repressed.” Today people who think that nudity should not be a mass-produced and highly aired subject are simply called “Bible-thumpers” or “closeted perverts.” Could it not also be though that showing young men and women in various forms of undress and engaging in sexual acts to be viewed by millions of people is what is actually perverted?

The more we accept certain things as being the “norm,” the more they will push at us. Instead of being furious at Keurig for airing ads on FOX News, women should be livid at Victoria’s Secret and Hollywood for turning women into sexual objects rather than people. Many of the people screaming the loudest were completely mute while their careers were being created by their submission to these men in positions of power. Does this excuse the actions of these men? Absolutely not! Does their prolonged silence lead some people to have serious doubts as to the timing and sheer volume of accusations?

Absolutely!

It would be very interesting to see and hear an outpouring of wrath against singer-songwriters, producers, photographers (why did the photographer who took the photo of Al Franken mimicking sexual assault get a free-pass?), magazine, television, actors and companies who make millions of dollars by portraying sexual conduct and misconduct as an everyday, accepted occurrence. Maybe the phrase “If you see something, say something” will take on a whole new meaning. Maybe women will speak-up even if the person involved helped their career or supports their “core causes and beliefs” (really? Your Beliefs?). Maybe if something seems a little “rapey” – It is a little “rapey.”

Who knows; maybe now that some of these ladies seem to care about their bodies being used and groped without their permission, they will take another look at how an unborn infant might feel about his or her body being abused? Nah. Never happen.

James E. Bodenheimer is a resident of Stanley.

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